Baling machine for compacting straw and stalks from harvesting machines into cylindrical bales



H. J. BERGE Feb. 3, 1953 2,627,223 BALING MACHINE FOR COMPACTING STRAWAND STALKS FROM HARVESTING MACHINES INTO CYLINDRICAL BALES 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 8, 1949 Feb. 3, 1953 H. J. SERGE: 2,627,223

BALING MACHINE FOR COMPACTING STRAW AND STALKS FROM HARVESTING MACHINESINT0 CYLINDRICAL BALEs Filed Aug. 8, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 y zverzar FWJl I Feb. 3, 1953 H. J. BERGE 2,627,223

BALING MACHINE FOR COMPACTING STRAW AND STALKS FROM HARVESTING MACHINESINTO CYLINDRICAL BALES Filed Aug. 8, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 f /4 @4 Illl//6 //.5

iorizeys Feb. 3, 1953 H. J. BERGE 2,627,223

BALING MACHINE FOR COMPACTING STRAW AND STALKS FROM HARVESTING MACHINESINT0 CYLINDRICAL BALEs Filed Aug. 8, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ZV/@5 .5f 3

Patented Feb. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BALING MACHINE FORCOMPACTING STRAW AND STALKS FROM HARVEST- ING MACHINES INTO OYLINDRICALBALE S 8 Claims.

My invention relates generally to machines for baling stalks and strawand particularly though not necessarily to a baling machine adapted tobe cooperatively associated to a conventional crop-harvesting machine.

This application is a continuation for all subject matter in common withmy co-pending application entitled Combine Bailing Attachment, SerialNo. 748,920, filed May 19, 1947.

It is an object of my invention to provide a novel and highly efficientbaling machine adapted to be cooperatively associated with acrop-harvesting machine such as a combine, or the like, to receive thedischarge of straw or stalks and by a substantially continuous operationcompact said material into bound bales as it is delivered from theharvesting machine.

It is another object to provide a plurality of cooperating jawstructures having a rolling and compacting mechanism mounted therein toreceive stalk and straw discharge from a harvesting machine and tosuccessively roll and compact said discharged material intosubstantially cylindrical bales and thereafter to successively bind saidcompacted bales and release `the same for subseqeunt collection thereof.

It is a further object to provide a baler speciiically adapted forattachment to a combine to work in close cooperation therewith and toreceive the discharge of the residue from the straw racks, or strawwalker, to feed said residue into the rolling and compacting mechanismthereof and when the compacted residue reaches a predetermined size tobind the same together and thereafter discharge said bound sales forsubsequent collection.

` It is a still further object to provide in a baling machine a bindingmechanism adapted to be actuated when the bale reaches a predeterminedsize to feed a binding line into the rotating compacted bale and tosecure both ends of the line to securely hold material in the baletogether.

More specifically, it is an object to provide a baler adapted tosuccessively compact a quantity of residue material from a cropharvester into substantially cylindrical bales by application of ahigh-speed rotary action to the material as it is received from aharvesting machine and to impart this rotary action by a series ofrolling and compacting runs of a belt structure and constructed topermit said runs to swing outwardly in unison while maintaining constantrotary contact with the bale as said bale increases in size and, uponsaid bales reaching a predetermined size, to successively securely bindand discharge the same.

Still more specifically, it is an object to provide a rolling andcompacting mechanism for a baler incorporating the use of a plurality ofswingable arm structures to carry the respective rolling and compactingruns of a rolling and compacting belt structure and including resilientmeans for urging said arm structures into close association to maintaincontact at all times with the material being compacted and to graduallyexpand against said resilient force as the volume of material beingcompacted increases.

It is still another object to provide a baler having a plurality ofcooperating jaw structures adapted to initially compact a substantiallypredetermined volume of material into a bale and with mechanism forbinding said material securely together, certain of said jaw structuresbeing constructed to swing into open position to permit discharge of thecompacted bale after completion of the binding operation.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fullyappear from the' following description made in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to thesame or similar parts throughout the different views, and in which Fig.1 is a side elevation showing my baling machine attached to aconventional combine;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially along the line2-2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a rear end elevational View of my machine with a portionbroken away :and the side releasing doors and side exterior driving andactuating mechanism removed;

Fig. 4 is a top plan View of the structure shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view showing the driving mechanismscontained in gear box J for timed operation of certain parts of mymachine;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line6--6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the detail of theconstruction and mounting of typical roller carrying compacting armstrucure;

` Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view showing the detail of the lower endportion of one of the interconnection links for operating the side doorbalereleasing mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a detail vertical sectional view showing a typical clutchmechanism;

. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the discs foroperating the bale dumping mechanism;

Fig. l1 is a substantially horizontal sectional view showing theconstruction of the lower jaw carrying arms and the relation therewithof the compacting arm structure and the drive shaft for the lower balerolling and compacting mechanism;

As best shown in Fig. 1, I provide a baling machine particularly adaptedto be cooperatively associated with as by being attached to aconventional harvesting or threshing machine, such as the combine 25,having the discharge hood 25, and upright frame members 21. I providea'supporting structure having the outstanding upper and lower structuralframe members 28 and 29, and upstanding attachment frame members 39. Theattachment frame members 39 are rigidly interconnected at theirrespective ends to the forward ends of members 29 and 29. A pair of sideplates 3| are rigidly xed across the open side between the respectivemembers 28 and 29 to form the sides of a straw-receiving hopper,designated as any entirety by the letter A. The top of the hopper A is,of course, open and disposed in close association to the discharge hoodof the combine 25. The upright attachment members 30 at the respectivesides of the hopper A, in the formshown, are rigidly connected to theupright frame members 21 of the combine 25, as by the bolts 32. An upperjaw structure B, and a lower jaw structure C are mounted in outwardlyeX- tending rel-ation to the outer portion of the hopper A. The upperjaw structure is'suitably supported in xed relation relative to hopper Aas by the downwardly curved frame members 33. A sheet metal cover 94 isprovided in the form 'shownfor the upper jaw structure B. As best shownin Figs. l, 2 and l1, the lower jaw structure is pivotally mounted atthe lower rear portion of the Ahopper A on a shaft 35. This shaft isjournaled in suitable fixed bearings mounted in the outer portions oflower frame members 29. A pairfof `jaw carrying members 35 are providedto swingably carry the lower jawstructureB and a suitable cover' plate37` is provided in the form shown to underlie said lower jaw. The twojaw vstructures join when in closed position along the line 'designatedby the letter D, Vand a suitable latch mechanism 38 isprovided at eachside vof the joint D to lock said'jaws together 'during the rolling andcompacting operation.

'.Asbest'shown in Fig. 2, I provide a feeder mechanism designated as anentirety by the letter E. The feeder mechanism E. has a bed, orV table,such as the apron 39 in the form of lan endless "belt, mounted' in thebottom thereof. The endless belt is trained about a pair of spacedroller structures '49 respectively mounted on the shafts 4| and 42. Thetwo shafts 4| and 42 are interconnected by the frame structure 43, andthe shaft 4| provides an axis on which said frame structure may be-adjustably swung, with suitable means for securely locking the apron 39with'the rear end thereof' at the desired elevation. In the form shown,suitable cleats 39a are providedV on the surface of the apron and asuitable belt'tightener 44 is provided to maintain a substantiallypredetermined tension in theendless conveyor apron belt. An upper feederbelt 45 is mounted on a pair `of Vspaced roller structures V4t and 41,which are respectively driven bythe shafts 48 and 49. A beater 59 isymounted for rotation on a suitable shaft disposed substantially parallelto Vshaft 49 and in close association therewith, and a drivingconnection 5| is made between shaft 49 and beater 59 to rotate thebeater at a r-elatively high speed. A swingablebeltsupporting frame,

having the arms 52, interconnects shafts 48 and 49. A fulcrum 53 isprovided at the rear portion of the arms 52 to produce a floating upperfeeder mechanism, and va spring' 54 is connected with each of the arms52 to resiliently urge the forward end of the conveyor belt 45downwardly toward the lower conveyor apron 39. A slot 49a is` providedin at least one side plate 9| to permit swinging movement of the shaft4S. A belt tightener 55 is provided for the shaft 49 to maintain thetension in the belt 45. As best shown in Fig` 2, the hopper A has aguiding plate 3| a. rigidly interposed between the side plates 3| toguide the material rearwardly in the hopper.

IThe feeder E feeds the material into a rollingr and compactingmechanism mounted on the two jaw structures B and C. A portion of therolling and compacting mechanism is mounted in the upper fixed jawstructure B. A pair of pivot shafts 56 and 51 extend across the width ofthe machine and have their ends respectively journaled in suitablebearings, as best shown in Fig. '7. A swingable relatively shortcompacting arm structure 5S is journaled for oscillation on shaft 59 insuitable bearings, surrounding said shaft, as best shown in Fig. '7. Aroller 59 is fixed to the shaft 56 for rotation therewith. A shaft 65 isjournaled in the outer free ends of the arms 59 and has a plurality ofroller sections 9| mounted thereon. A plurality of belt retaining discsBla are respectively interposed between the roller sections 6| toprevent a plurality of belt sections from running off said rollersections. A curved plate 58a, rigidly interconnects the two arms 58, asbest shown in Figs. 2 and 7. A somewhat longer arm structure 62, butsimilar in construction to any structure 58, is journaled foroscillation on shaft 51, and a shaft 63 is journaled between the outerfree ends of the arms 62. The rollers, in the form shown, which aremounted on shafts 51 and 63 are interchangeable with the roller 59 androller sections 6|, respectively mounted on shafts 56 and 69. Belt'retaining discs are mounted on the shaft E3 between the respectiveroller sectionsand are interchangeable with the discs lila, previouslydescribed.

A pair of plates 64 are journaled for swinging movement at therespective sides of the upper jaw B on a pair of stub shafts 65 andcombine with the rollers 66 and 61 and the spring 68 to form a belttightener for the upper rolling and compacting belt structure which isdesignated as an entirety by the numeral 69 and which in the form shownconsists in a plurality of relatively narrow belt sections. A roller 10mounted on a shaft 1| journaled in suitable fixed bearings at therespective ends thereof, is provided as an idler guiding roller, as bestshown in Fig. 2.

The lower portion of the rolling and compacting mechanism is generallysimilar in operation and construction to the upper portion of therolling and compacting mechanism described above. The shaft 35 has aroller 12 mounted thereon and a compacting arm structure 13 is journaledfor oscillation thereon in a bearing, such as the bearing shown in Fig.11, for the compacting arm structure 58. A shaft 14 is journaled in theouter portion of the arm structure 13 and a plurality of roller sectionsand belt guides 6| and Bla respectively are mounted thereon in a mannersimilar to that previously described. A fourth pivot shaft is journaledfor rotation between the side frame members of the lower jaw C, as bestshown in Fig. 2, Vand has a roller l16 mounted thereon. A compacting arm11 is journaled on shaft'15 and a shaft 18 is journaled between theouter free ends of said compacting arm 11. The roller structure and beltretaining discs mounted on shaft 18 are similar to the roller 6| anddiscs 8m. A pair of belt tightener plates 19 are respectively journaledat the lower portions of the sides of the lower jaw C on suitable stubshafts 00. The pulleys 3| and 82 combine with the plates 19 and springs83 to form a belt tightener similar to the belt tightener previouslydescribed for the upper portion of the rolling and compacting mechanism.

The lower jaw unit C is swingably mounted on a pair of double bearings84 in which arm structure 13 is journaled are mounted in the fixedsupporting frame members 29, as best shown in Fig. 11. The jaw carryingmembers, or arms, 38, are journaled for swinging movement on saidbearings 84, and the compacting arm structure 13 is also journaledwithin said bearing for swinging movement independently of jaw carryingarms 38. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 11, a crank arm 35 is fixed inoutstanding relation to each arm 33 and a jaw-dumping link 86 ispin-connected thereto, as by the pin 83a. As best shown in Fig. 8, aspring cushioning mechanism 81 is provided in each of the links 85 toprevent injury to the dumping mechanism during the dumping operation.The actuating mechanism for the links 86 will be described subsequently.

A bale binding mechanism, designated as an entirety by the letter F, isprovided, as best shown in Figs. l, 2, 3, and 4. The binding lmechanismF is supported by a sleeve 88, which is journaled in suitable bearings89 fixed to the supporting structure for the upper jaw structure B andis oscillated by a suitable crank arm 90 fixed thereto at the innerportion thereof. A depending arm structure 9| is fixed to the sleeve 88for oscillation therewith. A shaft 92 is journaled for oscillation insleeve 88 and is actuated by a crank arm 93. An upper casing element 94is rigidlyiixed to the supporting frame 33 as by the attachment bracket95. A bearing 96 is provided in the casing 94 and a depending shaft 91is journaled therein. The shaft 91 has a conventional universal joint 93inserted therein and is oscillated by a pinion 99 fixed thereto and arack in the form of an arcuate segment which is fixed to an upstandinglever arm |8| which is secured at its lower portion to shaft 92. Theportion of the shaft 91 disposed below the universal joint 98 is in theform of a hollow polygonal sleeve such as the square sleeve member |02,best shown in Fig. 3. A lower depending shaft |03 is journaled forrotation in a suitable bearing |04 fixed at the lower extremity ofdepending arm structure 9|. A second `bearing |85 is collared to anintermediate portion of the shaft |03 to reciprocate said shaft. Apinion |03 is journaled in a suitable bearing mounted in depending armstructure 9| and is disposed forwardly of said arm structure. A shaft isfixed to said pinion |03 and extends rearwardly through structure 9| andhas a crank arm fixed at the inner end thereof. Said crank arm isconnected to bearing |05 by a suitable connecting rod, or link, toreciprocate said shaft section |03. The upper portion of the shaftsection |03 is square in cross-section and is slidably received in thehollow square sleeve |02, as best shown in Fig. 3.

A twine-guiding needle |01 is fixed to the bottom of shaft |03 and isoscillated thereby. A fixed rack |08 in the form of a curved segment ismounted at the rear of the supporting structure and is intermeshed withthe pinion |06 to impart rotation to said pinion, shaftand crank arm xedthereto to project shaft |03 downwardly as said depending arm structureis swung outwardly on its horizontal axis during the binding operation.This reciprocation of shaft |03 maintains a substantially straight linehorizontal movement of the needle |01 during the binding operation. Atwine cutting knife |09 is mounted at one side of the binding machineand is disposed directly over the position of the twine after it hasbeen secured at the second end of the com-- pleted bale. As best shownin Fig. 3 the knife |09 is pivoted to a bracket |09a and a link ||0having the turnbuckle adjustment ||0a interconnects said knife with alever fixed to crank shaft ||2 and connected with an actuating mechanismwhich will be described subsequently. A twine box ||3 is mounted infixed relation at the side of the hopper A and has a hinged closure 4 tofacilitate loading of the twine therein. The twine |55 is dischargedthrough a suitable opening at the topprovided with a frictionalresistance IIE to prevent excessive unwinding of the twine as it isdischarged from the box I3. The twine extends from the resistance i8over through a positive brake ||1 and from there it extends down and isthreaded through the needle |01 to extend out from the free end thereof.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2, 5, and 6, power is supplied from thecombine 25 through a chain and sprocket drive I8 to the shaft 35 whichdrives the lower compacting and winding belt structure as best shown inFigs. 1 and 2. The other end of the shaft 35 is connected by a chain andsprocket drive ||9 to the shaft 56 which drives the upper rolling andcompacting belt structure. As best shown in Figs. 5 and 6, a chain andsprocket driving connection |22 on shaft 58 is provided to drive a stubshaft |23 which is connected to a power shaft |24 as by the chain andsprocket driving connection |25. A gear train |26 is con'- stantlydriven by shaft |24 and the clutch mechanisms |21 and |23, respectively,control the rotation of shafts |29 and |30. The clutch |21 is engaged bya control rod |3|, as best shown in Fig. 2, which is actuated by atrip-lever [|32 fulcrummed at |33 and responsive for actuation tocontact by roller structure 5| when in expanded position as shown by thefull lines in Fig. 1. A spring |32a maintains level' |32 in restposition against stop |3217 and holds rod |3| in normal retractedposition. A feeder control clutch |34 is connected to shaft |24 and isnormally engaged to drive feeder drive shaft |35 to normally drive theentire feeder mechanism E through the chain and sprocket vdrivingconnections |36 and |31 and stub shaft |33. The chain |31 is trainedabout a sprocket |31a and a sprocket |39 to drive shaft 4| and the rearrun is meshed with asprocket |40 to drive shaft 48. A belt tightener 14|is provided to maintain driving tension in chain |31 when arms 52 andthe sprocket |40 carried thereby shift during the feeding operationdepending upon the load being carried bythe feeder E.

As soon as the shaft |29 begins to rotate, Aa clutch disengagingmechanism disengages the normally engaged feeder control clutch |34. Anotched disc |42 is fixed to the end portion of shaft |29 and normallyreceives a bell crank roller |43 therein. A crank shaft |44 is fixed toroller |43 and a clutch throw-outrod |45 is fixed to shaft |44 foroscillation therewith. As soon as roller |43 rides out of the notch indisc |42 due to the rotation of shaft |29, the roller |43 is shifted andthe bell crank mechanism throws out clutch |34 and holds the same indisengaged posi"- agee-zaza 7. tion*A throughoutonecompleterevolutionofl shaft |29. An internal cam |46 is -xed to shaft |39 andthe roller |43 visY of suicient length to be engaged by the outstandingfiange portionof saidinternal cam. This flange has anoutwardly'extending portion normally'disposedin directly opposedrelation to the notch in the camming disc |42; Theclutch 28is normallydisengaged, but as soon as the shaft |29 completes asingle revo-1utionavcontrol lever |41 servesto engage the clutch |28 .and begintherotation of shaft |36. The flange of the internal cam |46 holds theroller |43 Vand bell crank mechanism in clutch disengaging position tohold the clutch |313 out of engagement during a complete revolution ofshaft.=|30. Theexternally extending portions of shaft I3@ are connectedrespectively to a pair of discs |118 to which the upper ends of the jawdumping links S are respectively pivoted. These discs |48 haveanoutwardly extending oamming l surface |49 vformed in the outer marginalportion of the periphery thereof. The purposeof these camming surfacesles is vto normally hold a pair of side releasing doors in closedposition as will be described hereafter.

The shaft k| 29 has a4 pairof spaced beveled gears |50 and 5| xedthereto as best shown in Figs. 5 and 6. These bevel gears arerespectively in-v termeshed with co-operating bevel gears |52 and |53,which are respectively xed to shafts i and IE5-for driving the same. Apitman mechanism |56 forms the connection between shaft 5&1 and themechanism for swinging the depending bindingarm structure 9| to whichsleeve is fixed This pitman, of course, oscillates the arm Qi throughacomplete cycle to move the needle cui to one end of a compacted bale andback the full length of the bale at which point the twine is securedaround the bale and cut and thereafterthe arm 9| is swung back intosubstantially vertical rest position. The pitman wheel of mechanism |56which is xed to shaft |5i has a cam fixed on the outer periphery thereoffor engagement with vthe `upstanding crank arm iid of cutter actuatinglever I which operates the cutter mechanism for cutting the twine aftercompletion `of the binding operation. The shaft has a pitman wheel fixedthereto and a pitman arm |58 is co-operatively associated with aneccentrically mounted pin on wheel |51' to form a connection betweensaid wheel |51 and the needle oscillating arm 93. An elongated slot isformed inthe pitman arm |58 to receive the pin of disc |51 andyprovide-a limited lost motion connection therewith to shift said arm|58 only in the ein treme positions of the pin and providing only alimited shifting movement of arm |58 andosciilation of shaft 92.

A` pair of side releasing and dumping doors |59 are respectively mountedat the sides oi the rolling .and compacting chamber H to normally closethel same and provide abutmentmembers for the ends of the compacted baleduring the compacting operation. A pair of door supportn ingarms |60 arerespectively xed to said doors |59 as best shown in Fig. l and areintermedi ately pivoted to the rigid frame members |6`i as by the pivotpins |62. The upper ends of the arms |60 are respectively equipped witha pair of cam-engaging rollers |63 to be normally engaged by theoutwardly extending cams |49 on discs |48 as best shown in Figs. l andl0. As soon as the shaft I3@ begins its revolution, each of the rollers|63 will ride off the raised cam |039 and permit the doors |59 toswingoutwardly a slight distance toy release the ends of the comfor the cams|49 to rotate under the overlyingy portions of 'said arms 8B. As bestshown in Fig. l a pairof springs |560; are respectively interposedbetween the arms |60 and the rigid side plates of the machine, to urgesaid doors into open'position, the cam Mii securely holding said doorsin closed position during the compacting operation.

The latch mechanism 38 for holding the two jaws together at D has a bentbar 38a fulcrumed at its bent portion on the lower jaw C. Theupperiportion of the bar y32a has an inwardly extending'latch member 33hxed thereto in overlying relation to a portion of the upper jaw B andalso the peripheral portion of the door |59. A catch member 3de is fixedto the upper jaw B and is adapted to normally engage the outstandinglatch member to securely hold said jaws B and C together. One of theselatch mechanisms is provided on each side of the machine and each has aresilient elementV for normally holding the same in locked position. Assoon as the doors |59 are released and permitted to swing outwardly, thelatch mechanisms 3S are released by engagement with said doors `topermit the C to be swung downwardly into dumping position by the links SThe doors |59 do not need to swing more than a few inches and hence thelatch elements remain in contact with said doors even during the dumpingoperation.

.An interconnection mechanism is provided to coordinate the inward andoutward swinging movement of the elements of .the rolling and compactingmechanism and is best shown in Figs. l and 7. Fig. 7 iliustrates atypical arlE rangement of the compacting arm structure and the bellcrank arms Iifi and E55, which are ixed to arm structure Beil crank arms|66 and itl are journaled on shaft "il and a bell crank arm |68 is fixedto compacting arm structure 62 for swinging movement about shaft 5l asan axis. A pair of bell cranks i5@ and i'iii are ixed to compacting armstructure ier swinging movement about shaft 'i5 las an axis, and a bellcrank is xed to compacting arm structure Ti for oscillation on shaft Thebell cranks l" and |611 are interconnected by a link Elli. Bell cranksand Se are interconnected by a link V13, and bellcranks 2?@ and iii areinterconnected by a link VM. A suitable resilient element such as thespring El is connected to the beil crank arm i'ii to urge vthecornpacting arm structuresI il and "i3 into retracted position as shownby the dotted lines in Fig. 2. A pivoted lever |76 is interconnected atone end to bell crank |86 by a link ill and at the other end to bellcrank |63 by a link iid. A resilient element suoli as the spring iisresiiiently urges compacting arm structures and 52 into normal retractedposition vas shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 2. Similar bell crank andlink mechanisms are mounted on both sides of the machine.

A typical. clutch mechanism Vsuch as that used in clutches |27, E28 andi3d is illustrated in Fig. 9 in which the disc member His is connectedto a rotary member and is constantly rotated. A stop member ISI isentirely free from disc l, but is fixed to a shaft to be driven throughthe clutch. A clutch engaging arm 62 having a roller |83 journaledthereon is pivoted on pin |84, and a compression spring i 85 lnormallyurges said roller |83 into the rounded toothed portion |Ba formed on aflange xed to rotary disc |80. This clutch structure is of conventionaldesign and any other suitable clutch mechanism could be used. Theclutch, of course, is disengaged and the driven shaft immediatelystopped by engagement of the arms I8! and |82 by an actuating rod, suchas shown in Fig. 9.

Operation The hopper A is positioned under the discharge hood 29 of thecombine 25 to receive the stalks and straw from the straw rack or strawwalker (not shown). The straw is discharged with some force and travelsdownwardly into the hopper A where it is engaged by the lower apron 39,which carries it toward the mouth G of the compacting chamber H. Theapron 39, of course, combines with the floating beater 50 and upperconveyor 45 to carry the straw toward the mouth G and discharge saidstraw through said mouth into the compacting chamber H. The apron 39 canbe lowered to receive the stalks and straw from the sieves at the lowerportion of the combine discharge, or may be elevated to exclude thisfiner material. A clamping element 43a is shown in Fig. l for settingsaid apron in any desired position.

The compacting arm structures 58, 62, 11 and T3, are all ShOWn by dOliBdlines in inwardly I'eof the twine between the convolutions `and thetracted position in Fig. 2 and are urged into said position by thesprings |15 and |19 and the crank and link mechanisms connectedtherewith. The belts of the upper jaw B and the lower jaw C are movingin the direction shown by the y.:

arrows in Fig. 2 and the straw mass is rolled and compacted at thecenter of chamber H, being rolled in a direction illustrated by thecurved arrow in said chamber. The run of the rolling and compacting beltmounted on arm structure ;c

13 adjacent mouth C- carries the straw into the center portion of thechamber H as it is fed by feeder E and combines with the run supportedby arm structure 58 to impart rotary motion thereto as it passes betweensaid opposed runs. As the material is collected in the chamber H, it isrolled and compacted into a substantially cylindrical bale by the actionof the belts resiliently pressed thereagainst by the springs |15 and |19and mechanisms connected therewith. As the size of this cylindricalcompacted mass increases, the arm structures 58, 62, 11 and 13 swingoutwardly toward the full line position of Fig. 2.

When the diameter of the compacted bale is such that the arm structuresreach the position shown by full lines in Fig. 2, the trip-lever |32 isengaged by the roller structure 6| and actuates clutch engaging rod |3|.The rod |3| engages clutch |21 which permits the rotation of shaft |29through a single revolution. Rotation of shaft |29 immediatelydisengages feeder driving clutch |34 through the bell crank mechanism|43, |44 and |45. Rotation of the shaft |29 operates the bindingmechanism and swings arm 9! `over to the end `of the bale farthest fromthe twine cutter |99. The arm |58 is actuated by wheen |51 to impartrotary movement to shaft 92 through crank arm 93 to swing rack |09through a predetermined arc and thereby rotate the pinion 99 and shaft91 and swing the needle |91 inwardly to feed the free end of twine ||5into the rotating bale. The beginning of this binding operation is timedto `take place when the arm 9| is still a substantial distance from the10 end of the bale farthest away from the knife |09. After beginning thedischarge of the twine ||5, the arm 9| swings outwardly to within aslight distance of the said end of the bale to secure the end of thetwine under several convolutions thereof. As soon as the arm 9| beginsits swinging movement the twine break |1 is immediately released by amechanism ||1a as best shown in Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6. This isaccomplished by a crank arm mechanism ||1a on shaft |44 as best shown byFigs. 2, 5 and 6. As the arm 9| swings outwardly to the side, the pinion|06 is rotated by the fixed arcuate rack |08 to project shaft |03downwardly and swing the needle |01 through a substantially horizontalstraight line path. The arm 9| swings back to the dotted position shownin Fig. 3 and during this swinging movement continuously dischargestwine to form a series of substantially spiral convolutions around theconstantly `otating compacted. bale to securely bind the same together.Shortly before reaching the second end of the bale, the needle |01 isagain swung inwardly by the cam actuation of pitman arm |58. Byswinging` said needle into the bale at this point, the twine isdischarged under at least one convolution thereof and, in most cases,under several convolutions which serves to secure the second end of thebinding twine around the bale. This interjection bale material isfacilitated by the fact that the rolling and compacting structures ofthe two jaws B and C are slightly spaced apart at the point ofinterjection as best shown in Fig. 2 to produce a slightly slack portionin each convolution as it passes through this open space between thecompacting mechanism of the two jaws. The pitman mechanism |51 isconstructed with a lost motion connection to permit the arm 9| to beretained in its upwardly swung position as shown by dotted lines in Fig.3 and the pitman wheel |51 and arm |58 retract the needle from itsinserted position at least a distance of several inches while the arm 9|is held in its upwardly swung position. With the arm 9| in this positionand the needle partially retracted, the knife |09 is actuated by bellcranks la and to cut the twine and provide a free end portion thereof toextend outwardly from the free end of the needle |01 and facilitatefeeding of the twine into the next bale.

When the shaft |29 has completed one revolution, the lever |41 willactuate clutch |28 and permit one revolution of shaft |30, whichactuates the dumping mechanism for jaw C. The ange of cam |48 holds theclutch |34 in disengaged position during one complete revolution ofshaft |39 and the discs |48 are rotated through one complete revolutionby said shaft |30. Rotation of the discs |48 actuates the links 89 andshifts cam |49 to release the doors |59 which, in turn, -release thelatch mechanisms 98 to permit the upper jaw B and lower jaw C to beseparated at D when the links 86 are shifted upwardly to swing the crankarm 85 upwardly on its bearing 84. With the ends of the bale releasedand the lower jaw C in extreme dumping position as shown by the dottedlines in Fig. 2, the bale is free to drop down onto the ground and isthus discharged from the rolling and compacting chamber H. The discs |48through the links |39 positively return the jaw C into closed positionand the latch mechanisms 38 securely lock the same in said position. Thecams |49 positively close the doors |59 just prior to the apanagesecondly, binding the compacted bales together to prevent separation ofthe compacted material. It will be seen that I have provided a highlyeilicient baling machine adapted to work in close association with aharvesting machine, such as a combine, to initially roll and compact thestraw or stalks discharged from said harvesting machine into bales andto thereafter provide a highly eilicient automatically actuated bindingmechanism to securely bind the compacted material together and tothereafter automatically discharge the completed bales.

All of the mechanisms of my baling machine are synchronized and timed towork in close cooperation one with the other and to closely cooperateWith the harvesting machine to receive Athe discharge therefrom. Theelements of the rolling and compacting mechanism are all interconnectedso that upon expansion thereof, as the bale increases in size, all ofsaid elements will expand in unison and maintain rolling and compactingcontact with the material on all sides thereof during the compactingoperation.

The binding mechanism travels in a substantially horizontal straightline across the rear end of the lmachine and successfully secures bothends of the binding twine to prevent subsequent unwindingof theconvolutions of said twine from around the bales, and securely holdssaid convolutions in binding position.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts withoutdeparting from the scope of my invention.

The embodiment of the invention disclosed is particularly adapted as anattachment, or for manufacture as standard equipment in conventionalcombines and other harvesting machines. It will, of course, beunderstood that my baling machine, including the closely cooperatingrolling and compacting mechanism, and bale binding "mechanism, is welladapted for manufacture as a separate portable, or stationary,baling-machine, 'all within the scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a baling machine, mechanism for rolling and compacting a mass ofmaterial such as stalks or straw, said mechanism comprising a pluralityof jaw structures arranged in pivotal relation one to the other, saidjaws being closed during the compacting operation and being adapted tobe Vopened for discharge of a completed bale, a plurality of compactingarm structures swingably mounted on said jaw structures, a plurality ofrolling and compacting elements respectively `mounted on said swingablearm structures, tensioning mechanism connected to said arm structuresfor urging said rolling and compacting elements into retracted positionand permitting exc pansion thereof as the mass of material beingcompacted increases, and means for driving said rolling and compactingelements.

'2. 'In a baling machine, mechanism for rolling fand-compacting a massof material such as stalks Lil) or straw, said mechanism Acomprising aplurality of jaw structures arranged in pivotal relation one to theother, jaw operating mechanism for holding said jaws in closed relationduring the rolling and compacting operation and for swinging said jawsinto open position for discharge of acompleted bale, a plurality ofcompacting arm structures swingably mounted on said jaw structures, aplurality of rolling and compacting elements respectively mounted onsaid swingable arm structures, tensioning mechanism interconnecting saidarm structures for simultaneously urging-all of said rolling andcompacting elements intoretracted position at the beginning ofthecompacting operation and permitting simultaneous and -ed-ual expansion oall of said elements as vthe mass of material being compacted increases,

Ameans for driving rolling and compacting elements, and mechanism foractuating said 4jaw operating mechanism.

3. In `a baling machine, mechanism for rolling and compacting a mass ofmaterial such as stalks or straw, said mechanism comprising a pluralityoi jaw structures arranged in pivotal relation one to the other, aplurality oi compacting arm structures swingabiy mounted on said jawstructures, a plurality oi rolling and compacting elements respectivelymounted on said swingable arm structures and forming a rolling andcompacting chamber between said jaw structures, a pair of closure doorsmounted at the sides of said chamber to normally close the same, dumpingmechanism connected with at least one of -said jaws and with said doorsto simultaneously release said doors and swing `said connected jaw intoopen position to discharge a completed bale, means for driving saidrolling and compacting elements, and mechanism for actuating saiddumping mechanism.

li. In a baling machine, mechanism for rolling V'and compacting a massof material such as stalks or straw, said mechanism comprising aplurality of jaw structures arranged in pivotal relation one to theother, said jaws being Vclosed 'during the compacting operation andbeing adaptedto be opened for discharge of a completed bale, a pluralityof compacting arm structures swingably mounted on said jaw structures, aplurality or" rolling and compacting elements respectively mounted onsaid swingable arm structures, tensioning mechanism connected to saidarm structures for urginsy said rolling and compacting elements intoretracted position and permitting expansion thereof as the mass ofmaterial being compacted increases, means for driving said rolling andcompacting elements, and a feeder mechanism for positively deliveringthe stalks and straw to the rolling and compacting elements.

5. lIn a baling machine, mechanism for rolling and compacting a mass ofmaterial, such as stalks or straw, said mechanism comprising a pluralityof jaw structures arranged in pivotal relation one to the other, saidjaws being closed during the compacting operation and being adapted tobe opened for discharge of a completed bale, a plurality of compactingarm structures swingably mounted on said jaw structures, a plurality ofrolling and compe-.sting elements respectively mounted on said swingablearm structures, tensioning mechanism connected to said arm structuresfor urging said rolling and compacting elements into retracted positionand permitting expansion thereof as vthe mass or" material beingcompacted increases, means for driving said rol-ling and compactingelements, and a binding mechanism adapted to interpose an elongatedflexible blinding element between the rolling and compacting elementsand the compacted bale while said bale is being rolled at a highvelocity, mechanism for shifting said binding element along the lengthof said rotating bale to form a series of binding convolutionstherearound and mechanism for anchoring the binding element around thebale at the end of the binding operation. i.

6. In abaling machine, mechanism for rolling and compjacting a mass ofmaterial such as stalks or strawfjisaid mechanism comprising a pluralityof jaw structures arranged in pivotal relation one to the other, saidjaws being closed during the compacting operation and being adapted tobe opened for discharge of a completed bale, a plurality of jjcompactingarm structures swingably mountedron said jaw structures, a plurality ofrolling and compacting elements respectively mounted'qon said swingablearm structures, tensioning mechanism connected to said arm structuresforurging said rolling and compacting ele ments into retracted positionand permitting expansion thereof as the mass of material being compactedincreases, means for driving said rol-ling and jcompacting elements; anda binding mechanism comprising a horizontally shiftable needle adaptedto carry a iiexible binding element therein, mechanism for shifting saidneedle to one end of said rotating bale, means for interposing the endof said binding element between said rolling and compacting elements,and the rotating compacted material, mechanism for carrying said needleto one end of said bale and return the same to the other end of saidbale while said bale is continuously rotated to form a series of bindingconvolutions around said compacting material, means for shifting saidneedle to interpose a portion of said flexible binding element betweencertain of said convolutions :and the compacted material to anchor saidbinding element, means for holding said needle against horizontalshifting movement while said binding element is being severed.

'7. The structure set forth in claim 6, and means for severing saidbinding element while said needle is being held against horizontalshifting movement.

8. The structure set forth in claim 6, and driving connections adaptedto be attached to a source of rotary power, a plurality of inter-relatedactuating mechanisms synchronized for periodic actuation of therespective elements to successively roll yand compact, bind and iinallydischarge a completed bale.

HOWARD J. BERGE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 331,932 Workman Dec. 8, 1885366,943 Evans July 19, 1887 496,260 Haugen Apr. 25, 1893 798,959 LuebbenSept.. 5, 1905 2,180,852 Russell NOV. 21, 1939 2,248,519 Thompson July8, 1941 2,294,440 Barker Sept. 1, 1942

